And in a departure from previous seasons, there will be only one two-hour show per week.
Perhaps most Jersey-centric was the reveal by "Jersey Shore" alum Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, who said she would like to go by "Nicole" during the competition. Host Tom Bergeron, who reminded her she is well-known as Snooki, suggested the compromise, "Snicole."
Here's how it all played out:
Brant Daugherty and Peta Murgatroyd
Kicking off the night was Brant Daugherty, star of "Pretty Little Liars," and partner Peta Murgatroyd. The pair performed the cha cha almost cohesively to Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines."
There was one noticeable misstep by Daugherty, who said in his introduction video that lacking the ability to sing or dance would make him "a single threat" in the competition.
Judge Carrie Ann Inaba disagreed, calling him a "double threat" by the end of the performance. Inaba said she sees a lot of potential in this pairing, as they had both the look and the moves.
Len Goodman described their performance as "a sizzling teaser of things to come."
"You've got the equipment," he said. "Just keep the timing."
Total Score: 7, 8, 7 = 22
Leah Remini and Tony Dovolani
Described by her partner as "a force of nature," Leah Remini joined Tony Dovolani in a performance of the foxtrot.
Remini said she is competing to "face her fears." The former Scientologist found fast fans in the judges, one of whom questioned, "Are you sure you've never done it before?"
She also had the support of Jennifer Lopez, who was cheering her on from the audience.
Bruno Tonioli praised Remini and compared her to Miley Cyrus. "I want you to twerk next week," he demanded.
Carrie Ann Inaba called Remini the perfect combination of "sass and class."
Total Score: 7, 7, 7 = 21
Corbin Bleu and Karina Smirnoff
Karina Smirnoff said with Corbin Bleu, she has "met her match in crazy."
Their performance was anything but.
Smirnoff and Bleu, dancing contemporary, moved gracefully across the floor, delivering a skillful and emotional performance. It was Smirnoff's first ever contemporary routine.
Smirnoff, a veteran "Dancing with the Stars" coach, said given Bleu's "High School Musical" background, the expectations were high for the couple.
And they delivered.
Their performance, which included a lot of gymnastics as well as a lift, drew praise from all three judges and the second highest score of the evening.
"Great choreography," Carrie Ann Inaba said. "It was emotion in motion."
Goodman asked, "This is week one isn't it?"
Total Score: 8, 8, 8 = 24
Jack Osbourne and Cheryl Burke
As one of the two contestants in the competition with a serious illness, Jack Osbourne, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis a year ago, said he was competing to promote awareness for the disease.
He is the second Osbourne to compete on the program, behind his sister Kelly who placed third overall during her season.
Given his father Ozzy Osbourne's musical background, Cheryl Burke told Osbourne she expected him to have some rhythm.
With the fashion accent of a boyish bow tie, Osbourne gave a charming performance of the foxtrot. It drew tears from his mother Sharon, who was in the audience alongside her rocker husband.
Len Goodman said, "I loved your footwork."
Bruno Tonioli said Osbourne handled the intricacy of his footwork well but advised him to watch his turns. That critique along with his score of 7 drew boos from the audience.
Carrie Ann Inaba said Osbourne definitely had dancing genes.
Total Score: 8, 8, 7 = 23
Amber Riley and Derek Hough
A self-described "theater child," Amber Riley performed the cha-cha-cha with partner Derek Hough, wooing all three judges. Their high-energy performance was seamless. It drew no criticism from any of the judges.
"That's how you make it yours," one judge said of their routine.
The pair ended with the highest score of the night.
Total Score: 9, 9, 9 = 27
Elizabeth Berkley and Val Chmerkovskiy
Val Chmerkovskiy confessed to Elizabeth Berkley during practice that his favorite "Saved by the Bell" character was Kelly Kapowski, but it didn't impede the pair's success. He and Berkley had an undeniable chemistry on the dance floor.
Their performance drew the praise of the judges, who said the "difficult" performance was performed gracefully.
Total Score: 8, 8, 8 = 24
Bill Nye and Tyne Stecklein
Weird Science. No, not this pairing — well, maybe a little. That was actually the song they performed to.
While the audience appreciated Nye's mad scientist-inspired cha-cha-cha, the judges were not fond of it at all.
In a stiff and rhythm-less performance on the part of Nye, he and partner Tyne Stecklein drew the lowest scores of the evening.
Len Goodman said it was as painful (to watch) as it is to experience a waxing. Bruno added that Nye would win no medals for that performance.
Total Score: 5, 4, 5 = 14
Keyshawn Johnson and Sharna Burgess
The issue was the timing in their rendition of the cha cha, said judge Bruno Tonioli.
While he may have had good timing on the turf as a football star, Keyshawn Johnson lacked the same comfortability on the dance floor with partner Sharna Burgress.
Len Goodman said he was confident that the pair would fair better if they worked on their timing because they already possessed a great attitude.
Total Score: 6, 5, 6 = 17
Christina Milian and Mark Ballas
Singer Christina Milian said she anticipates people will have high expectations of her because she is a performer but insisted she has no experience dancing with a partner.
After a contemporary routine with partner Mark Ballas, Milian admitted, initially via Twitter, that she was nervous over Jennifer Lopez being in the audience.
Carrie Ann advised Milian to open up more and said she was a beautiful dancer but said she should try to connect more with the audience.
Total Score: 7, 7, 8 = 22
Bill Engvall and Emma Slater
Bill Engvall said he would get a lot of flak from his friends for competing on the show but his day job made him comfortable performing in front of a crowd.
Dancing the foxtrot, the comedian and his partner Emma Slater performed to
Donna Summer's hit song "Hot Stuff." Engvall said he was not a dancer but he moved with the confidence of one.
Their performance was described by Bruno as "elegant." Carrie Ann Inaba advised Engvall to work on being more smooth.
Total Score: 6, 6, 6 = 18
Valerie Harper and Tristan McManus
Valerie Harper jokingly described her partner Tristan McManus as a "slave driver," and said he was a kind and loving person. McManus admitted during rehearsals that working with the TV legend who was diagnosed earlier this year with terminal brain cancer made him nervous at first.
It was hard to tell that Harper was battling anything or that, at 73, she was the oldest contestant to ever compete on the show.
"I'm way past my expiration date and I'm dancing," Harper said. "It's good to be alive and even better to be dancing."
Carrie Ann Inaba was brought to tears by Harper's performance and advised her to work on her "spots." Bruno Tonioli called Harper radiant and told her to work on her balance.
Total Score:7, 7, 7 = 21
Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi and Sasha Farber
In perhaps the shortest pairing to date on the show, Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi and Sasha Farber shined tonight.
Asked whether she preferred to go by her signature Snooki or Nicole, the former "Jersey Shore" star said, "Now that I've had a son, I think I've grown into a woman so I'm going to say, Nicole."
Dancing the cha cha to "Wild One," Polizzi showcased her footwork. And Len said he loved it.
"You just went for it," Carrie Ann said.
Total Score:8, 8, 7 = 23
Totals
Amber Riley and Derek Hough: 27
Corbin Bleu and Karina Smirnoff: 24
Elizabeth Berkley Lauren and Valentin Chmerkovskiy: 24
Jack Osbourne and Cheryl Burke: 23
Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi and Sasha Farber: 23
Brant Daugherty and Peta Murgatroyd: 22
Christina Milan and Mark Ballas: 22
Leah Remini and Tony Dovolani: 21
Valerie Harper and Tristan MacManus: 21
Bill Engvall and Emma Slater: 18
Keyshawn Johnson and Sharna Burgess: 17
Bill Nye and Tyne Stecklein: 14
Next week, each couple will perform again and one will be sent home.
Who do you think performed the best? Who should be sent home?
Read More : http://www.nj.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2013/09/dancing_with_the_stars_2013_premiere_recap.html
